If a president breaks laws, we have impeachment
Bronx: President Trump began his second term just three months ago. In that relatively short period of time, he’s managed to perilously rattle the stock market by way of an irrational and unnecessary import tariff scheme that has all the markings of market manipulation. While the 401(k) retirement accounts of millions of Americans (me included) were significantly devalued, inside the Oval Office, Trump boasted about how some of his billionaire buddies made a ton of money when the market recovered soon after he temporarily suspended the tariffs.
With the aid of Elon Musk and his cohort of incompetent cabinet chiefs, Trump also goes about firing thousands of government workers for no reason other than to cut government spending. Ironically, he does this so he can later more easily afford tax cuts for the wealthiest among us.
Yet, as harmful as all this may be, none of it rises to the level of impeachable offenses. But Trump may have crossed that line after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the return of illegally deported immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador. So far, Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele have refused to comply.
I hope the Democrats are keeping score of this and the many other impeachable grievances Trump is sure to inflict upon our nation’s government over the next few months. If and when they win back control of the House and hopefully the Senate next year, maybe he will be held accountable. Impeachment and the possibility of removal from office are always unpleasant and unfavorable to our nation’s wellbeing. But in this case, it may soon be necessary. Carlos B. Martinez
Trick of the rich
Scarsdale, N.Y.: The great scammer in the White House appears to have manipulated the stock market right before our eyes. His blustering about tariffs on goods coming into the United States created a major devaluation in the stock market. He then tells his Republican and billionaire cronies to buy these devalued stocks. Then he tells them to be ready to sell them because he’s going to suspend the tariffs, which will cause the market to have a large rebound. So we see how the rich get richer as we in the middle class face higher inflation and grocery costs. Harvey Wielstein
On our own
Kew Gardens: In the chaotic environment of trade disputes and tariffs, one important player is being excluded: the World Trade Organization. The Trump administration cut funding to that organization, preferring to set its own trade initiatives and negotiations. The WTO regulates international trade, seeing that trade flows smoothly. It not only serves as a platform for negotiating trade agreements and disputes but also works to lower trade barriers and promotes fair treatment among its members. Now it is up to the U.S. alone to resolve the chaotic trade and tariff mess. Or is it possible the WTO is being excluded because the U.S. president was against the reappointment of its director general, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to hold that office. Glenn Hayes
Depriving children
Camden, N.J.: What was wrong with the world before Trump’s appointment of Musk as head of the Department of Government Efficiency? Rapid changes have occurred since the beginning of Trump’s second term. Now PBS is undergoing the cut of the chainsaw. What will be the legacy this current Trump administration leaves behind for the next generation? I grew up watching “Sesame Street.” I’ve learned from Bert and Ernie. So many fond memories are hitting Musk’s cutting room floor. Wayne E. Williams
Federal offense
Brooklyn: The dumb decisions and contradictions just keep coming. On Wednesday, the Trump administration called a halt to construction on the Empire Wind Project at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, slated to become the nation’s largest offshore wind port. Republicans claim to be the party of small government, yet they have clearly become the party of government overreach. Trump declared a national energy emergency, yet he is upending the clean energy industry and America’s shot at energy independence. The White House insists it wants to create jobs and bring manufacturing back to America, but it seems that’s not true if such investments don’t benefit fossil fuel interests. For years, New York has made it clear it wants the wind port. Our state wants to be part of the clean energy future. The federal government has no right and no grounds to take that away. Camilla Somers
Played the part
Tomkins Cove, N.Y.: Hallelujah, I can now rest easy. His excellency Bill Maher has decreed that Trump is only playing a crazy person; he is actually a measured, considerate, gracious individual. Although, isn’t it possible that Trump, for a two-to-three-hour dinner, played the non-lunatic to troll Maher, just to mess with him and get a positive review on Bill’s show? And to be honest, I enjoy his program immensely and watch every week. You can fool some of the people some of the time. Doug Slotolowicz
Better-looking Dems
Cincinnati: Only one thing at present is certain about the 2028 presidential race: There will be Trump exhaustion. That means unaffiliated voters will be looking at the Democratic candidate with favor regardless of who the nominee is, especially because the likely Republican choice, Vice President JD Vance, is a hard-edged and unsympathetic character. I would never consider AOC because her policies are alien to mine, but she is a colorful person with good hair, teeth and smile, all characteristics some voters think important. By the way, her likely party rival, Gruesome Newsom from California, has the same sparkling hair, teeth and smile, plus he is a man and tall. I don’t like him either, but both of them could win. Woe be to America. Paul Bloustein
No coverage?
Lynbrook, L.I.: My paper must be missing some pages. I realize the Daily News is always a day late with the news, but I’m looking through Thursday’s and Friday’s papers and my copies don’t have the best story out there right now — the story about Letitia James and multiple instances of mortgage fraud she apparently committed. Priceless. Rich Benevent
Contained to be killed
Gastonia, N.C.: Israel talks about how it is concerned for Palestinian civilians. The West Bank has 2,100 square miles for 3 million people. The Gaza Strip has 140 square miles for 2 million people. If the Israelis are so concerned with Palestinian civilian deaths, why don’t they bus the women and children up to the West Bank out of harm’s way? More than 35,000 women and children have been killed by Israel since the start of the Hamas/Israel conflict. The reason Israel won’t bus the women and children out of Gaza is that Israel wants to show the world it can wipe out a nation of people, and by doing so, that it is for the glory of King David. Paul DeGregorio
Rapid response
Levittown, L.I.: Re “Plea for panic buttons” (April 19): I think it’s a great idea, and the city and state should foot some of the bill. These are usually hard-working, family-owned bodegas, and with the mental health crisis we are seeing, they need protection. The Rave device used in school settings would be perfect. That’s my 2 cents! James Moran
Nowhere to sit
Madisonville, Pa.: Your editorial on outdoor dining (“Outdoor dining was curbed too much,” April 16) was spot-on. As a semi-regular visitor to NYC, the addition of outdoor dining in so many areas was a welcome and surprising change. To make that option too difficult for many smaller establishments is bewildering, especially when each time I come to the city, I see the same scaffolding in place with no discernible change to the buildings they are erected at. So, in its infinite wisdom, the City Council lets the public be inconvenienced by those and be denied the pleasure of outdoor dining, hurting a number of businesses. Gotta love it! Tom Mielczarek
Deadly disease
Brooklyn: Michelle Trachtenberg was found to have died from diabetic complications. Sadly, my son Patrick died from that same thing at 31 in 2007. My heart breaks for her family. Diabetes is a life-changing disease that most times can take a life. I hope there can be money allocated for research on how to end this disease. Sharon Cesario
